Holder for grinding machines



July 26, 1966 G. B. HILBRUNNER HOLDER FOR GRINDING MACHINES Filed Sept. 5, 1965 IN VEN TOR.

GEORGE B. HILBRUNNER BY CLQJ AT TX S.

United States Patent 3,262,232 HOLDER FOR GRINDING MACHINES George B. Hilbrunuer, 1215 Howe Road, Kent, Ohio Filed Sept. 5, 1963, Ser. No. 306,954 6 Claims. (Cl. 51-217) This invention relates to a holder for metallic articles to be ground on a parallel surface grinder, and more particularly to a holder for elongated cylindrical metal articles Where it is desired to precision grind the ends thereof.

Heretofore it has been known that parallel surface grinders utilizing magnetically energized flat beds to support a metallic article to be ground have been used. However, the grinding of the ends of elongated metal articles on a parallel surface grinder has not proved satisfactory, as the end supported on the magnetic bed is rather small compared to the length of the article so that tilting or cocking of the article results when a grindstone engages the end to be ground. If one of these elongated metal articles gets pushed slightly off its vertical axis, it can catch in the periphery of the grinding wheel causing improper grinding, severe damage to the grinding wheel, or even cause the grinding wheel to shatter. In order to overcome this objection, single piece holders have been proposed, but these are cumbersome, slow and have not effectively solved the problem. Frequently, it has been the practice to try to wedge a group of the elongated metal articles together for multiple grinding action. However, this generally results in improper grinding to at least a few of the articles, with the constant objection present that one of the articles may tilt causing the damage or shattering of the grinding wheel mentioned above.

It is the general object of the present invention to avoid and overcome the foregoing and other diflic-ulties of prior art practices by the provisions of a solid holder adapted to uniformly position a plurality of elongated metallic articles to eliminate any chance of tilting or cocking to substantially reduce any possibility of damage or shattering of the grinding wheel.

A further object of the invention is to provide a holder for elongated metallic articles to be utilized on a parallel surface grinder to provide precision grinding of the ends of the articles and to eliminate any possibility of damage or shattering to the grinding wheel, and which holder is sturdy, highly effective, and low in cost.

A further object of the invention is to provide a holder for elongated metal articles for use on a parallel surface grinder which holder .provides means to operatively and securely position a plurality of elongated metal articles in a fixed position during the grinding operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a holder for elongated metal articles to be used in a parallel surface grinding operation, which holder has a minimum area positioned on the grinding bed to facilitate cleaning thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a holder for elongated metal articles for use in a parallel surface grinding operation which provides an access opening to be used to measure or gage the precision of the grinding operation.

The aforesaid objects of the invention and other objects which will become apparent as the description proceeds are achieved by providing in a support means for elongated metallic articles of uniform cross sectional area having a ferrous content, which articles are adapted to be positioned on a magnetic bed of a parallel surface grinder, the combination of a solid rectangular box shaped block having a plurality of holes uniformly positioned and extending through the height thereof, the holes adapted to Patented July 26, 1966 receive the metallic articles in close fitting sliding relation, set screw means operatively received by the block and adapted to engage and position the metallic articles in the holes, and support means operatively affixed to the block at the corners thereof to position the block in vertically spaced relation to the magnetic bed.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the holder comprising the embodiments of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation of the holder of FIG- URE 1, showing the holder mounted on a fragmentary section of a fiat magnetic bed;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of the holder of FIG- URES 1 and 2 with the holder mounted on a fragmentary section of a flat magnetic bed, and

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of one hole of the holder with a sleeve adapter so that stock of various circumferences can be machined.

Although the principles of the invention are broadly applicable to a holder for any type of elongated metal articles having luniform cross sectional areas, the invention is usually employed in conjunction with elongated cylindrical metal articles and hence the invention has been so illustrated and will be so described.

With reference to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates generally a solid rectangular box shaped block containing a plurality of circularly shaped holes 12 extending through the height thereof. If desired, set screws 14, or the like, may be positioned in the block 10 to engage the holes 12, as indicated. To complete the basic construction of the block 10, and to provide support therefor, legs 16, as best seen in FIGURES 2 and 3 are operatively positioned at the four corners thereof. The legs may be integral with the block or be separate members. Also, lower access openings 18 and 20, respectively, may be provided for at least one of the holes 12, as indicated in the drawings.

With reference to FIGURE 2, a plurality of elongated cylindrical articles 22 having top ends 22a and bottom ends 22b are shown in dotted line form positioned through the holes 12 in the block 10. It should be noted that the articles 22 have their bottom ends 22b adapted to rest on a flat horizontal magnetically energized bed 24, as do the support legs 16 for the block 10. The top ends 22a of articles 22 extend a short distance above the top surface of block 10, as clearly indicated in FIGURES 2 and 3. A grinding wheel 26 is illustrated in dotted lines, and has its outer peripheral surface engaging and grinding the upper exposed ends 22a of articles 22, as it is moved in a direction indicated by arrow 30. Note, with reference to FIGURE 3, that the grinding wheel 26 is much narrower than the width of the articles 22. In operation the magnetic bed 24 and the grinding wheel 26 are moved relative to each other to effect each pass, with relative lateral movement after each pass, so that the grind wheel 26 longitudinally passes at successive lateral positions across the top ends 22a of articles 22 to complete the desired precision grinding process.

In order to check the grinding process described above, the access openings 18 and 20 may be provided to facilitate lifting one of the articles 22 out of the frame 10 for measurement or gaging thereof. It is usually desired to machine the top ends 22a of the articles 22 in a flat plane perpendicular to the axes of the articles 22. In order to achieve perpendicular flat top surfaces to the ends 22a of the articles 22, the holes 12 are positioned in the block 10 so they 'lie in substantially perpendicular relationship to the bed 24 and the path of the grind wheel 26. However, the holes 12 may be positioned at various other angles in the block 10 to obtain various angular surfaces to the ends 22a of the articles 22. Thus, the invention contemplates that usually the bottom ends 2211 of the articles 22 rest flush on the magnetic bed 24. However, if the bottom end surfaces 22b of the articles 22 are not normal to the axes thereof, the holes 12 in the block in combination with the set screws 14 hold the articles 22 in perpendicular relation to the bed 24 to insure that the exposed ends 22a will be cut to the desired surfaces.

FIGURE 4 illustrates that a sleeve 40 may be positioned in the holes 12 so that an article 220 having a smaller circumference may be positioned by the holder 10 for machining. Note that the set screw 14 passes through the sleeve 40 to engage the article 22c thus firmly anchoring both pieces in position.

Thus, it is seen that the objects of the invention have been achieved by providing a block 10 wherein a plurality of accurately formed circular holes 12 are provided to receive a plurality of cylindrical metal articles 22. By accurately sizing the holes 12, there is only a very limited tolerance between the holes 12 and the metal articles 22 received therein. Set screws 14, or other similar means, can engage with the block 10 and bear against the cylindrical metal articles 22 that are individually received in each of the holes 12. Small openings 18 and 20 are provided at one corner of the block 10 to permit ready access to the metal articles 22 received in this particular hole in the block 10. Thus, a worker can grasp the article 22 and lift it up vertically for removal from the block 10 for convenient checking or gaging. Sleeves may be utilized to adapt the holder for articles of various circumferences.

It should be recognized that non-ferrous metallic articles can be ground in the holder as the set screws 14 would properly position the articles so they would not have to be held on the magnetic bed 24. This is important because some steels are alloys and a magnetic bed will not attract them.

The invention contemplates that the block 10 may be made from any suitable material, including plastic, wood, or metal, but preferably could be made at low cost from plastic. This permits some movement of the block in relation to the article 22. Further, the support legs 16 could be made from a metal having ferrous content so that when the block 10 is positioned, it is firmly held in place by magnetic engagement of the legs 16 to the magnetic bed 24. Also, the legs 16 provided at the corners of the block 10 elevate the lower portion of the block 10 out of contact with the magnetic bed 24 whereby only a few limited areas of the bed 24 need to be cleaned before placing the block 10 thereon.

Thus, it is seen that a simple, yet highly effective holder has been provided to insure that elongated cylindrical metal articles will not tilt or cock during a parallel surface grinding operation, and that a plurality of such articles may be ground at the same time. Further, a ground surface normal to the axis of each article is insured.

While in accordance with the patent statutes, one best known embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be particularly understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby, but that the inventive scope is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a holder for cylindrically shaped metal articles of ferrous content with said articles adapted to have one end thereof positioned on a magnetic bed with the other end exposed for precision parallel surface grinding, the combination of a shaped block of non-ferrous material having a plurality of substantially circular holes uniformly positioned and extending through the height thereof, said holes adapted to operatively receive a plurality of said metal articles in substantially sliding close fitting relation thereto so that one of the ends of said articles is in contact with said magnetic bed and the other ends extend a sufiicient distance out from said block to be exposed for said precision parallel surface grinding,

separate screw means operatively received in said block associated with each hole and adapted to removably engage said metal articles in said holes to maintain said metal articles in proper position therewith,

metallic leg means having a ferrous content operatively affixed to said block at substantially all the bottom corners thereof to support said frame in a raised spaced relation to said magnetic bed, and

said block having an access opening through a side wall to the bottom portion of at least one of said holes to facilitate lifting one of said metal articles positioned therein for checking or gaging said article.

2. In a holder for cylindrically shaped metal articles, the combination of a magnetic bed,

a rectangular box shaped plastic block having a plurality of substantially circular holes extending through the height thereof, said holes .adapted to operatively receive said metal articles in substantially sliding close fitting relation thereto,

ferrous metal feet secured to the block and magnetically mounted on the magnetic bed to space the block above the bed,

said block having a pair of access openings formed therein and connecting to one of said holes in said block, said openings being formed in different walls of said block to facilitate grasping one of said metal articles positioned in said block and lifting it out of engagement from said block, and

means to hold the metal articles in the holes in the block.

3. A holder according to claim 2 wherein said means to hold the metal articles in proper position in the holes of the block are set screw means adapted to removably engage said metal articles in said holes.

4. A holder according to claim 2 including a plurality of metal sleeves slidably received in close fitting relation in the holes extending through said block, said sleeves adapted to receive a plurality of said metal articles in substantially sliding close fitting relation thereto so that one of the ends of said articles extend a suificient distance out from said block to be exposed for said parallel surface grinding.

5. A holder according to claim 4, where the means to hold the metal articles in the hole of the block are set screws which pass through the metal sleeves to directly engage the metal articles.

6. In a holder for cylindrically shaped metal articles of ferrous content with said articles adapted to have one end thereof positioned on a flat horizontal magnetic bed with the other end exposed for precision parallel surface grinding, the combination of a shaped block of non-ferrous material having a plurality of substantially circular parallel holes uniformly positioned and extending through the height thereof, said holes being adapted to operatively receive a plurality of said metal .articles with each article being in sliding close fitting relation to its positioning hole so that one of the ends of said articles is in contact with said magnetic bed and the other ends extend a. sufficient distance out from said block to be exposed for said precision parallel surface grinding,

leg means having a ferrous content operatively affixed to said block at the bottom corners thereof to support said block at a distance in relation to said magnetic bed, said leg means positioning said block on a magnetic bed with said holes on vertical axes When supported by said leg means on a flat magnetic bed, and

said block having a pair of access openings through the side Walls thereof connecting to one of said holes at a lower portion thereof to facilitate lifting any metal article positioned therein for checking or gaging said article.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Obecny 268-287 Courser 51216 Carter et 2.1. 51-216 Vanstrom 51-217 HAROLD D. WHITEHEAD, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A HOLDER FOR CYLINDRICALLY SHAPED METAL ARTICLES OF FERROUS CONTENT WITH SAID ARTICLES ADAPTED TO HAVE ONE END THEREOF POSITIONED ON A MAGNETIC BED WITH THE OTHER END EXPOSED FOR PRECISION PARALLEL SURFACE GRINDING, THE COMBINATION OF A SHAPED BLOCK OF NON-FERROUS MATERIAL HAVING A PLURALITY OF SUBSTANTIALLY CIRCULAR HOLES UNIFORMLY POSITIONED AND EXTENDING THROUGH THE HEIGHT THEREOF, SAID HOLES ADAPTED TO OPERATIVELY RECEIVE A PLURALITY OF SAID METAL ARTICLES IN SUBSTANTIALLY SLIDING CLOSE FITTING RELATION THERETO SO THAT ONE OF THE ENDS OF SAID ARTICLES IS IN CONTACT WITH SAID MAGNETIC BED AND THE OTHER ENDS EXTEND A SUFFICIENT DISTANCE OUT FROM SAID BLOCK TO BE EXPOSED FOR SAID PRECISION PARALLEL SURFACE GRINDING, SEPARATE SCREW MEANS OPERATIVELY RECEIVED IN SAID BLOCK ASSOCIATED WITH EACH HOLE AND ADAPTED TO REMOVABLY ENGAGE SAID METAL ARTICLES IN SAID HOLES TO MAINTAIN SAID METAL ARTICLES IN PROPER POSITION THEREWITH, METALLIC LEG MEANS HAVING A FERROUS CONTENT OPERATIVELY AFFIXED TO SAID BLOCK AT SUBSTANTIALLY ALL THE BOTTOM CORNERS THEREOF TO SUPPORT SAID FRAME IN A RAISED SPACED RELATION TO SAID MAGNETIC BED, AND SAID BLOCK HAVING AN ACCESS OPENING THROUGH A SIDE WALL TO THE BOTTOM PORTION OF AT LEAST ONE OF SAID HOLES TO FACILITATE LIFTING ONE OF SAID METAL ARTICLES POSITIONED THEREIN FOR CHECKING OR GAGING SAID ARTICLE. 